The Hindu : AP girls, Assam boys triumph

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, Nov 27, 2003

Sport

Sport - Badminton

AP girls, Assam boys triumph

By Our Special Correspondent

THANE Nov. 26 . Saina Nehwal, riding a wave of confidence following successful forays in international events, inspired Andhra Pradesh to a surprise 2-0 win over badminton powerhouse and holder Assam in the girls' inter-state event final for the Shafi Qureshi Cup at the 28th Junior National badminton championships on Wednesday.

Assam proved its worth in the boys' title clash, defeating a strong Maharashtra squad 2-1 to retain the Narang Cup. Anshuman Hazarika emerged the trump card, defeating Anand Pawar in the second singles 12-15, 15-13, 15-1 to confirm the crown after National champion Bahniman Bora had won the first singles.

The most talented Indian junior shuttler in the current generation, Saina won the most important tie against National champion Krishna Deka Raja to confirm AP's supremacy at the Khandu Rangnekar Hall.

The Indian Oil-sponsored national event is being held at the Dadoji Konddeo stadium and organized by the Thane City and District Badminton Association.

The Hyderabad girl took charge in the initial stages, but could not stop Krishna from compiling points and take the first game. Saina, undeterred by the reverse, banked on aggressive hitting and skilful strokeplay to draw level even after her rival caught up at 10-all. The decider surprisingly saw Krishna playing second fiddle against her in-form opponent who did enough to win the first singles for her state side.

AP aspirations of scoring an upset over the defending champions depended on its doubles pair in the next match, where Deepti Shalini and T. Soumya displayed the depth of talent in the state by beating the superior Assam combination of Krishna and Rimi Hazarika over three games.

The results: Inter-State: Girls: final: Andhra Pradesh bt Assam 2-0: Saina Nehwal bt Krishna Deka Raja 10-13 13-10 11-3; Deepti Shalini/T. Soumya bt Krishna Deka Raja/Rimi Hazarika 15-7 13-15 15-8. Semifinals: Andhra Pradesh bt Maharashtra 2-0 (Saina Nehwal bt Sayali Gokhale 11-3, 11-6; Deepti Shalini & T. Soumya bt Neha Pandit & Sampada Sahastrabudhe 15-11 15-9; Assam bt Haryana 2-0 (Krishna Deka Raja bt Anita 11-3 11-1; Krishna Deka Raja & Rimi Hazarika bt Anita/Kannu Priya 15-1, 15-9.

Quarterfinals: AP bt Railways 2-0; Haryana bt UP 2-0.

Boys: Final: Assam bt Maharashtra 2-1 (Bahniman Bora bt Aditya Chitre 15-5, 15-11; Bahniman

Bora/Anshuman Hazarika lost to Anand Pawar/Nishad Dravid 8-5, 15-17; Anshuman Hazarika bt Anand Pawar 12-15, 15-13, 15-1). Semifinals: Maharashtra bt Andhra Pradesh 2-0 (Anand Pawar bt B. Kiran Kumar 15-2 15-2; A Pawar & Nishad Dravid bt P. Sharat Chandra & T Dinesh 15-4, 15-6; Assam bt Delhi 2-0: Bahniman Bora bt Himanshu Korbanda 15-7 15-10; Bahniman Bora & Rajib Goswami bt Parvinder & Apurva Vij 15-13 7-15 15-9.

Quarterfinals: Delhi bt Uttar Pradesh 2-1; Maharashtra bt Railways 2-1.

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